Montgomery County Schools Looking At Tight Budget

February 18, 2010

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By Matt Bush

Spending on schools in Montgomery County could be very limited next fiscal year if the county council approves a funding request.

The county board of education approved Superintendent Dr. Jerry Weast's funding request by a unanimous vote. It covers bare minimum funding requirements, according to Weast, who says his hands were tied by the county's overall economy.

"This county lost millions and millions of dollars in taxable revenue on income tax this year.," says Weast, "which should tell you that the people who live in this county do not have the disposable income they had in previous years."

Included in the funding request is a change to special education programs, which according to board member Christopher Barclay, have some parents, "frustrated with the school system, and frustrated with our ability to deliver services," he says. "I feel confident in the
services we deliver."

Under the proposal, money currently going to a private program for 2-to-4-year-olds with disabilities would instead go to a program run by the county. The county council will have the final say on the school budget when it approves the overall county budget during the summer.

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